Border Pass In Sisaket

[Micke]

Someone have any information regarding the border pass at Chong Sa-ngam (Sisaket province)? Is it open to foreigners?

This is a newly opened pass (someone told me it is open only to thais and khmers) for trade between these two countries. I have searched on the net for information but I cannot find anything. So, I would appreciate an answer from someone who has actually been at that border.

I can give some advice concerning two other border posts:

Chong Jom (Surin province) is a really small border post with usually no foreigners, which of course is only positive. To get a new visa will take no more than 30 minutes.

The fee for the Cambodian visa (tourist visa 30 days) is 20 dollars, but they will accept only baht. I have managed to get it for 1100, but I suppose it depends on the exchange rate. Mostly it is 1200 baht. If you don't play casino but will return to Thailand immediately, you have to pay 300 baht (for god knows what reason).

Chong Mek (Ubon Ratchathani province) is quite big but mostly the visa business is done rather quick. The Lao visa on arrival (tourist visa, just 2 weeks) costs 1500 baht. BUT, payment in US dollars is possible, the fee is 30 USD. Avoid going there after 4 P.M. or at holidays if possible (if it's a holiday there is also a lot of people since the border market is very popular amongst thais), because there is a over time charge. It is 1 dollar (or 50 baht) for the visa, and also 1 dollar for the entry and exit stamp respectively.

I have used the border post at Chong Jom for some time now, but since Chong Sa-ngam is much closer to where I live this would be a better option for me. I have recently been to Penang so I don't need to do a visa run for about 2½ months, but I will anyway appreciate information regarding this border.

Regards,

Mike

[Khutan]

The fee for the Cambodian visa (tourist visa 30 days) is 20 dollars, but they will accept only baht. I have managed to get it for 1100, but I suppose it depends on the exchange rate. Mostly it is 1200 baht. If you don't play casino but will return to Thailand immediately, you have to pay 300 baht (for god knows what reason).

The 300 baht is not negotiable. Its a fee for "Safe keeping" of your passport while you are in the border market area.

It is also a reasonable insurance policy, I know they will come looking for you if you don't make it out before the border closes. If you are in trouble, they will help you, if you are being a bad boy..... you know the rest.

btw there are a good number of bats about 2km over the hill and in the slum you cannot see from the border market area. So if you feel the need, you can have some bar action.

As I have posted before, when my geust house opens later this year, people who stay at the guesthouse will be able to get a proper entry and exit for 300 baht (the older Khmer guy is related to my wife).

Otherwise good luck.

[Micke]

Hmm... Strange what you are saying. I'm not in the border market. Actually I'm not interested in that market at all. (My passport is not out of my sight for even a few seconds.)

I'm just stamping the passport at the border, I'm returning immediately to Thailand. Perhaps you misunderstood me...?

Ok, anyway, it seems that the border pass at Chong Sa-ngam is open to foreigners. Read more here:

Chong Sa-ngam

Regards,

Mike

[Khutan]

Sorry, misunderstood, I think I was hung-over then.

I go over at Chom-Chon and don't have the passport stamped. Its for the casino and Duty free.